Photosynthesis Research Protocols: (684 Methods in Molecular Biology)

The capture of sunlight by photosynthetic organisms supplies an enormous amount of the energy required to develop and sustain life on the planet, making photosynthesis one of the most important biological phenomenon on Earth. Updating the popular first edition, Photosynthesis Research Protocols, Second Edition presents detailed descriptions of a broad range of general and fundamental methods that are commonly used by plant biochemists, physiologists, and molecular biologists, all of which are contributed by leading researchers in the field. This vital new edition also features coverage of methods related to the most abundant protein on earth, Ribulose-1,5-Bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology™ series format, the chapters of this volume include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and expert tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Comprehensive and cutting-edge, Photosynthesis Research Protocols, Second Edition serves new photosynthesis researchers as well as experienced scientists seeking to use a new type of preparation or method to study this tremendously influential process.

Table of Contents:
Isolation of Photosystem II-Enriched Membranes and the Oxygen-Evolving Complex (OEC) Subunit Proteins from Higher Plants.- Isolation of Photosystem I Submembrane Fractions.- Isolation of Photosystem II Reaction Center Complexes from Plants.- Methods for the Isolation of Functional Photosystem II Core Particles from the Cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803.- Purification and Crystallization of Oxygen-Evolving Photosystem II Core Complex from Thermophilic Cyanobacteria.- Isolation of Cytochrome b6f Complex from Grana and Stroma Membranes from Spinach Chloroplasts.- Purification and Crystallization of the Cytochrome b6f Complex.- Purification of Plastocyanin and Cytochrome c6 from Plants, Green Algae, and Cyanobacteria.- Isolation and Identification of Chloroplast Lipids.- Isolation and Purification of CP43 and CP47 Photosystem II Proximal Antenna Complexes from Plants.- Preparation of Native and Recombinant Light-Harvesting Chlorophyll-a/b Complex.- Isolation and Characterization of Lamellar Aggregates of LHCII and LHCII-Lipid Macro-Assemblies with Light-Inducible Structural Transitions.- Protein Targeting across and into Chloroplast Membranes.- Proteomic Analysis of Thylakoid Membranes.- Thylakoid Phosphoproteins: Identification of Phosphorylation Sites.- Direct Detection of Free Radicals and Reactive Oxygen Species in Thylakoids.- Assay of Photoinhibition and Heat Inhibition of Photosystem II in Higher Plants.- Photosystem II Reconstitution into Proteoliposomes and Methodologies for Structure-Function Characterization.- Physical and Chemical Immobilization Methods of Photosynthetic Materials.- Identifying Chloroplast Biogenesis and Signalling Mutants in Arabidopsis thaliana.- Expression of Genes in Cyanobacteria: Adaptation of Endogenous Plasmids as Platforms for High-Level Gene Expression in Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002.- Construction of Gene Interruptions and Gene Deletions in the Cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. Strain PCC 6803.- A Simple Method for Chloroplast Transformation in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.- Rapid Isolation of Intact Chloroplasts from Spinach Leaves.- Mechanical Isolation of Bundle Sheath Cell Strands and Thylakoids from Leaves of C4 Grasses.- Isolation of Ribulose-1,5-Bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase from Leaves.- Quantifying the Amount and Activity of Rubisco in Leaves.- Purification of Rubisco Activase from Leaves or after Expression in Escherichia coli.- Rubisco Activase Activity Assays.- Quantification of Rubisco Activase Content in Leaf Extracts.

Review :
From the reviews of the second edition: “Photosynthesis research protocols focuses on various aspects of photosynthesis research and its chapters reflect the whole complexity of this research field. … All chapters are of high quality and written by leading scientists in their fields. Illustrations are provided when needed and each protocol is sufficiently detailed also to allow access to beginners in the field. … every photosynthesis researcher will surely find several chapters of interest to them within this book.” (Dario Leister, Annals of Botany, Vol. 112 (1), 2013) “This book represents a collection of materials and methods that are highly useful for researchers in the field of photosynthesis. … various chapters have been revised and the literature has been updated. … every lab working in the field of photosynthesis should have at least one copy. The protocols described in the various chapters are written in a concise and understandable way.” (Reimund Goss, Journal of Plant Physiology, Vol. 169, 2012) “This book presents a set of protocols focused to the study of photosynthesis from multiple points of view. … new chapters have been added to this edition dealing with the isolation, quantification of Rubisco and Rubisco activase. All the contributors are experienced scientists on the analyzed subjects. The structure of each chapter … enhances the value of the information. In conclusion, this book is a fundamental reference for plant researchers, both for the wide spectrum of subjects covered and the simplicity of the layout.” (Alejandra Landau and Noemí Colombo, Boletin de Bibleoteca del IMYZA-INTA, Issue 26, June, 2011)